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Airport Director and Manager

Airport directors and managers ensure the safe takeoff and landing of aircraft through coordination of air-traffic control and operations personnel; airfield landing and navigational aids; safety procedures; monitoring and maintaining flight records.

About the Career

Overall the airport manager is responsible for continuously safe and efficient operations for all users of the airport and its facilities.

On the job you will:

Serve as liaison for the Airport with other City departments, divisions and outside agencies; negotiate and resolve significant and controversial issues

Conduct a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommend modifications to airport programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate

Provide staff support on a variety of boards and commissions; attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of aviation

Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive customer inquiries and complaints

Assume management responsibility for all services and activities of the Airport

Manage and participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs including customer service, maintenance of airport equipment and aircraft, and grounds security; recommend, within Departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommend and administer policies and procedures

Continuously monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assess and monitor work load, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement and review with the City Manager; implement improvements

Details

Average Salary: $104,541

Education: 4 Year Degree

Outlook: Good (1% - 10% growth)

Education and Training

The airport manager may need to have had experience as an assistant at an airport. Managers of small airports can qualify in some cases if they have only a high school diploma, but usually they must have a pilot certificate and three to five years of experience in jobs associated with airport services, such as a fixed base operator, superintendent of maintenance, or assistant to the airport manager.

As with many managerial positions, the position of an airport director or manager requires experience and training. Large complex airports demand more in depth background than do smaller ones. Directors and managers of airports that provide airline service usually are required to have a college degree in one of the following areas: airport management, business administration, or aeronautical or civil engineering.

Employers

Information provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Descriptions are based on general guidelines and industry standards and job duties may vary by employer and specific industry. Labor projections utilize data for the North Central Texas region and may vary from national statistics.